keep

1[intransitive,transitive]to stay in a particular condition or position; to make someone or something do this+ adj.We huddled together to keep warm.+ adv./prep.The sign said “Keep off (= Do not walk on) the grass”.Keep left along the wall.keep somebody/something + adj.She kept the children amused for hours.keep somebody/something (+ adv./prep.)He kept his coat on.Don't keep us in suspense—what happened next?She had trouble keeping her balance.keep somebody/something doing somethingI'm very sorry to keep you waiting.

6[transitive]keep somethingto own and care for animalsto keep bees/goats/hens

about health

7[intransitive]+ adv./prep.(old-fashioned)(informal)used to ask or talk about someone's healthHow is your mother keeping?We're all keeping well.

of food

8[intransitive]to remain in good conditionFinish off the pie—it won't keep.(informal)(figurative)“I'd love to hear about it, but I'm late already.” “That's OK—it'll keep(= I can tell you about it later).”

secret

9[transitive]keep a secretkeep something secret (from someone)to know something and not tell it to anyoneCan you keep a secret?She kept her past secret from us all.

promise/appointment

10[transitive]keep your promise/wordkeep an appointmentto do what you have promised to do; to go where you have agreed to goShe kept her promise to visit them.He failed to keep his appointment at the clinic.

diary/record

11[transitive]keep a diary, an account, a record, etc.to write down something as a recordShe kept a diary for over twenty years.Keep a note about where each item can be found.I kept a weekly record of my workload and activities.

support someone

12[transitive]keep somebody/yourselfto provide what is necessary for someone to live; to support someone by paying for food, etc.He scarcely earns enough to keep himself and his family.

protect

13[transitive](formal)to protect someone from somethingkeep somebodyMay the Lord bless you and keep you (= used in prayers in the Christian Church).keep somebody from somethingHis only thought was to keep the boy from harm.